Abstract

Water is needed in all spheres of human life. Water is put into so many uses, from domestic to industrial. Though a renewable resource, it is limited in supply at a point in time. The aim of the study is to assess the quality of groundwater for domestic use in Minna and its environs, Niger State. The objectives are to assess and compare the physical and chemical characteristics of drinking water in Minna metropolis with WHO standard; examine the spatial coverage of the source(s) and availability of drinking water to the residents of Minna metropolis; and examine the temporal socio-economic impacts of the quality of drinking water on the life of the people in the study area. The methods of data collection include collection of water samples from the six sample points, three wells and boreholes all in the study area, questionnaire, field survey and oral interview. The methods of data analysis were arithmetic mean and frequency percentage. Water samples collected from the field were analysed for physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics according to the WHO fourth edition guidelines published in 2011 and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality Standard Methods published in 2007. The finding shows that pH values across the study area ranges from 7.69 to 8.34. Water sample Y³ has a pH value of 8.34 which is disadvantageous in the treatment and disinfection of drinking water with chlorine. Manganese values across the study area were within the acceptable limit except water sample X³ which was 0.27. The implication of Manganese value above the acceptable limit is that it will cause neurological disorder in man. Fluoride values across the study area were within the acceptable limit except water sample Y² which was 1.87. The result also revealed that borehole ranked the highest with 66 agreed respondents, 157 strongly agreed respondents and 45 not agreed respondents; stream/river ranked the least with 4 agreed respondents and 3 strongly agreed respondents. This implies that the respondents in the study area has borehole as the major source of underground water follow by well water. The groundwater quality of study area is not fit in this present form to serve the domestic purpose of drinking, washing, cooking for the local inhabitants without further treatment. It’s therefore recommended that all Wells and boreholes in the study area should be sited away from septic tanks and at higher elevations.

Key Words: Groundwater, Domestic use, Minna and Availability

DOI: https://ejesm.org/doi/v11i5.5